He has been charged with one count each of murder, rape, deprivation of liberty and robbery with actual violence. A person charged with a sexual offence cannot be named under Queensland law until they are committed to stand trial.

Outside court, Mr Bosscher told reporters he had met with his client for an hour before his court appearance.

Slain student Sophie Collombet. Photo: Facebook.

"He's distressed given the circumstances he finds himself in, but otherwise in relatively good health and spirits," Mr Bosscher said.

"He certainly understood our conversation this morning and seems in relatively good spirits given the circumstances."

Mr Bosscher said his client was "clearly anxious about the court proceedings and his future", but was able to hold a conversation "without breaking down into tears".

The man's mother and aunt stood behind Mr Bosscher as he addressed media gathered outside the court, clutching each other for support.

"They're obviously distraught and distressed," Mr Bosscher said of the family.

"Not only because their son is in custody but they have a real and genuine empathy for the victim in this matter and her family."

The accused killer spent the night in the Brisbane Watchhouse after being extradited from New South Wales on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Bosscher, whose firm represented Daniel Morcombe's killer Brett Peter Cowan, said he had not yet received instructions about applying for Supreme Court bail on behalf of his client.

"I have a summary of the evidence, but that's not something I want to discuss publicly," he said.

Police allege Ms Collombet was attacked while walking from the Cultural Centre bus station to her CBD apartment on Quay Street.

The 21-year-old student, who arrived in Brisbane in February last year, was last seen on CCTV footage walking along the riverside boardwalk, past the Kurilpa Bridge, at 8.57pm.

Her body was found in Kurilpa Park in South Brisbane shortly after 6am the following day.